Scream (2022)

 

Not a remake - this is the next film in the series. The surviving characters all come back to star in this film. This time the daughter of the original serial killer is being targeted. Who is the killer though? Jack Quaid (The Boys) and Melissa Barrera (In the Heights) join the cast. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you saw all the others. 

Marry Me

 

Jennifer Lopez the singer plays a singer who marries a man from her concert audience after finding out her fiancé has cheated on her. Owen Wilson (Wedding Crashers) is the teacher in the audience that gets sucked into her world. Will they last? All in all, I say: SKIP IT - Wilson wasn't good enough to carry this off. 

The Adam Project

 

A time travel movie on Netflix starring Ryan Reynolds (Red Notice). I know - I can't believe it either, but I liked it. And I ate time travel stuff. They don't spend too much time letting the audience think about the time stuff. You are too focused on the witty banter of Reynolds. Ruffalo (Avengers) and Gardner (Alias) also star. It was really well done. All in all, I say: SEE IT - will he be able to save his wife?

Trophy Wife

 

Malin Akerman (Billions) is the third wife to Bradly Whitford (West Wing). It was a half hour comedy about the extended family all finding their way - with kids and friends. Marcia Gay Harden (The Mist) also stars. It was well acted, well written, and funny. Too bad it didn't last. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Think Like a Man

 

A comedy on Netflix starring Gabrielle Union (Bad Boys II) and Kevin Hart the comedian to name 2 of this impressive cast. It has funny moments, but it's predictable. A group of women use tips in a book to lock in their men. The men find out and try to turn the tables. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Death on the Nile (2022)

 

Gadot (Red Notice) does a great job as the heiress murdered on the Nile on her honeymoon in this remake by Kenneth Branagh. Poiret is his best when he is played by Branagh. I didn't think I would say this, but it's way better than the original movie. I always think the movies are better than Christie's book - sorry murder mystery book lovers. The cinematography and acting in this are amazing. Try to see on biggest screen possible. All in all, I say: SEE IT 

Life & Beth

 

I like Amy Schumer the comedian. She is a funny writer. Sometimes her stuff goes a little too far for me. Sometimes it makes me embarrassed for her character. I will say this character she created has more confidence than many of her previous characters. She is a wine seller stuck in life, and after her mom's death makes big life changes. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you like her. 

The Lighthouse

 

Don't Do It - nothing about this is good. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - pretend you never saw the title written here. 

The Gilded Age

 

Julian Fellows (Downton Abbey) is a genius. The Gilded Age in New York live and in color on HBO is amazing. Everything about it - the upstairs, downstairs feel we all love. The dresses!!!! OMG - the dresses! Carrie Coon (Ghostbusters), Cynthis Nixon (Sex & the City), and Christine Baranski (Good Wife) are amazing. Once you start watching you will not want to stop. All in all, I say: SEE IT

1883

 

From the people that gave you Yellowstone - this looks at the Dutton family at the very beginning. The family's journey to their land. The writing is a bit much - the narration is nerve racking. The only thing that saves this - cinematography and Sam Elliot (The Hero). I love that man - he is a treasure. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Paramount 

Encanto

 

I mean it's Disney - it's a musical - it's a Latino cast.... A young girl saves her family and their legacy despite being the only one in the family with no magical powers. All in all, I say: SEE IT - I bet you already have and can sing all the songs. 

Pretty Smart

 

A short comedy series on Netflix that isn't very funny. The actors scream their lines - laugh tracks - and it's just not that funny. It's not well acted either. So forget the plot. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Pivoting

 

A funny half hour comedy on Fox. Eliza Coupe (Happy Endings) is amazing - as always in this. She is a career woman that looks to make some life changes when her best friend dies - like spending more time with her kids - "in the afternoon". Maggie Q (The Protege) gets to show off her funny side. She's a lesbian that decides to stop being a doctor to work at a grocery store when her best friend dies. I'm addicted - love it! Love them - and the guys that play their husbands - great cast with chemistry. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Protege

 

Maggie Q (Pivoting) being bad ass - yes please. I liked the actions scenes in this. The plot was okay - not original, but not many flaws. Samuel L Jackson (Snakes on a Plane) trains a young woman to be an assassin. When he is betrayed, she goes on a hunt to make it right. Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice) is a rival assassin of sorts. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you like cheesy action.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage

 

Part 2 from Marvel is just more of the same as part 1. It's just a lot of destruction and yelling. I wanted to like both the films since Hardy (Mad Max). I couldn't. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - annoying. Andy Serkis (Hobbit) directed just FYI - who knew. 

The Matrix Resurrections

 

Reeves (Speed) and Moss (Red Planet) star, but most of the other key actors don't come back. It's heavy handed with Hinduism in this last movie in the series. If you watch it - I recommend watching all the other three immediately before watching this. There was a lot I forgot. I think they influenced my opinion on it. All in all, I say: SKIP T

The Wheel of Time

 

On Amazon, and based on a book series I never read about witches and prophecies. Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) and Daniel Henney (My Father) star. It was a road trip kind of plot with fantasy. I thought there would be a different outcome. I'm not sure if I want to continue with it or not. I was a little disappointed with the last episode. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you've read all the books - maybe wait until the entire series is done. 

Red Notice

 

It's a typical Netflix comedy-action film. Johnson (Space Mountain) and Reynolds (Adam Project) are forced to work together to steal something that gets stolen by a world renowned art thief played by Gadot (Wonder Woman). It's okey - it's not great. I was a little disappointed. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

King Richard

 

Will Smith (MIB) plays the father of the Williams tennis players. In this docu-drama about their childhood. It is really well acted - some parts felt a little long. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you like Smith or the Williams' sisters. 

Night Teeth

 

A truce has existed between the humans and the vampires in LA forever. Until one night, one new vampire has a plan. It is set in motion the night a college kid takes over for his brother driving a limo for some wealthy women. Turns out they are vampires, and they are the plan. All in all, I say: SKIP IT - it had some potential, but fell short. 

Love Hard

 

Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries) uses her humor in this Netflix Christmas movie. She is catfished, but is she shallow, or can she recognize a soul mate when she meets one. This movie was cute and funny. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

 

A single mom played by Carrie Coon (Gilded Age) and her two kids head to a small town to settle up the property of a deceased loved one and discovers they are the only ones that can prevent the end of times. The original crew is back - and the CQI isn't bad. It was a little slow to get started - a little long. It is worth it for those of you who loved the original film. The end is sad. All in all, I say: SEE IT - I mean Paul Rudd....come on. 

Eternals

 

From Marvel - the same world as the Avengers. A group of aliens were sent to protect or destroy the Earth - but which and why? Richard Madden (GoT) and Angelina Jolie (Tombraider) are just 2 members of this superhero group. Lauren Ridloff (The Walking Dead) makes her big screen appearance. A deaf actress. The plot is okay. It just felt a little off. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless it turns out to be important for the next couple of Marvel films - then see it. 

Dune (2021)

 

A remake of the David Lynch version of the book from Frank Herbert. Timothee Chalamet (Lady Bird) is the Prince/Prophet. Zendaya (Spiderman) is his love interest. Rebecca Ferguson (The Greatest Showman) is the Queen/Seer. Oscar Isaac (Rogue One) is the King. Stellan Skarsgard (Hope) is the one out to destroy them all and take the spice. I could continue naming stars for pages and pages with this film. And the best part - this is only part 1. Yes! Finally the entire book uncondensed onto film. Part 2 possibly next year. 

Finch

 

ON Apple TV, Tom Hanks (Sleepless in Seattle) is an engineer of sorts. He's has tried - and is failing - at surviving the climate apocalypse. He has a companion - a dog. He has begun to make plans for the his dog to survive. His plan? Get his dog a robot. It's is so sad from beginning to end. All in all, I say: SEE IT

No Time to Die

 

Daniel Craig's final performance as James Bond. Not a spoiler; everyone knew this was the one. Everyone knew they are looking for a new Bond. The plot is typical Bond. Rami Malek (Mr Robot) as the bad guy was an excellent choice. All in all, I say: SEE IT if you have watched the others. Otherwise, skip it. 

Voyagers

 

Colin Farrell (In Bruges) takes a group of test tube born kids into outer space. They are going to a new home. They are drugged to make them compliant. Unfortunately, things go off the rails when the kids learn about their true purpose, and when they learn they have been drugged. They stop- they are teenagers - so you can only imagine what happens next. All in all, I say: SKIP IT as interesting as it was...it's Lord of the Flies in space. On HBO if interested. 

One of Us in Lying (tv show)

 

Based on the book of the same name. A group of teens in detention are all suspects in the murder of one of their classmates. Several of the issues I had with the book are fixed or simply left out of the series. I think it was better than the book. Filmed in New Zealand. I didn't really recognize any of the actors. All in all, I say: SEE IT on Peacock.

Halloween Kills

 

The newest in this horror series. Can Curtis, her daughter, and grand-daughter survive? Can they kill Michael? If you watched all the others - you might as well. If you haven't watched them... then All in all, I say: SKIP IT on Hulu.

Squid Game

 

Yes, I gave in and watched this series on Netflix. People - desperate people - decide to risk their lives for a ton of cash. To win - they have to win - at a number of children's games. They are deadly - there is a reason behind the wealthy to stage the games. You can't help but get invested and want to know what happens. All in all, I say: SEE IT

The Wonder Years (2021)

 

Not a re-make. Dule Hill (West Wing) is the father of two kids living in the 60s during a time of change. The family lives in Alabama. So it's set in the same time as the original, but from the point of view of a black family in America. I watched a few episodes, but it wasn't original. All in all, I say: SEE IT even if I didn't finish it, if you loved the original you will like this one.

La Brea

 

Natalie Zea (Justified) is a mom who gets sucked into the middle of the earth - I guess - when a sink hole opens up in LA. Turns out her estranged husband was also there when he disappears in battle. They have a link. There are dinosaurs and of course every person in the hole with has a secret. Who can be trusted? It felt predictable and was uninteresting. All in all, I say: SKIP IT

Mix-ish

 

The is a prequel to the tv show Black-ish which focuses on the childhood of the mom. Her family deals with being "mixed" in the 80s. I watched a couple of episodes. It was okay. I never really watched Black-ish, so I wasn't invested. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you're a die hard fan of Black-ish.

CSI: Vegas

 

New group meets the old group to help free a colleague from being framed, and all their past cases from being overturned. I tried - I gave it about 1-2 episodes, but it was too different. And...I was bored. All in all, I say: SKIP IT unless you were a die hard fan. I wasn't.

Doug Days

 

Yup, it's Doug from Disney Pixar's Up. He is now in a one pet household and it's his job to protect the yard. In this series he battles fires, squirrels, and life in a quiet neighborhood. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Foundation

 

Lee Pace (Pushing Daisies) is the Emperor and Jared Harris (Mad Men) is the prophet in the series on Apple based Isaac Asimov's series. There are time jumps, spies, religious zealots, believers, non-believers, and alien in the vast galactic tale. I never read the series, but so far it's complex and interesting. The special effects and acting are awesome. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Blush

 

An astronaut and an alien fall in love in the animated short on Apple TV. It's cute and sad. All in all, I say: SEE IT

Finding Alice

 Keeley Hawes (The Durrells) stars as a window trying to figure out her recently deceased husbands secrets - of which there are many. She is a good actress, but all the break downs are a lot. I know her character is a widow, but I got annoyed with the crying and complaining. It's on Acorn. All in all, I say: SKIP IT